Digital Skills Key to Bolster Workforce Innovation/Kemahiran Digital Kunci Meningkatkan Inovasi Tenaga Kerja
15.02.2021
Scroll down for Malay version/Skrol ke bawah untuk versi Bahasa Malaysia
As digital technologies have notably begun to play an even more critical role in the economy, it is increasingly clear that there is a real need to prepare talents – newly graduated or now in the workforce – for digital jobs. More companies are becoming digital by default, with 91% of organisations having to adopt or have plans to become a ‘digital-first’ business strategy.
In fact, an average of $15.3 million over the next 12 months will be spent on digital initiatives, according to the IDG Digital Business Survey 2019. The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) had revealed that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) now comprises 48.4% of Malaysia’s employment and another similar report from Huawei revealed how 48% of SMEs recognise the lack digital skills.
In Malaysia, eight of the top ten emerging jobs will require digital tech skills. This includes jobs in Data Analysts and Scientists; Internet of Things (IoT) Specialists; Digital Transformation Specialists; and Cybersecurity Specialists, says the World Economic Forum (WEF)’s “The Future of Jobs Report 2020” Report. The same study also forecasted that 50 percent of all employees will need re-skilling by 2025.
On the supply side, according to a 2018 Randstad survey, close to 90 percent of the workforce in Malaysia believe they do not have skills for a digital workplace, while graduate unemployment had also seen an increase due to the lack of digital skills. The Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE) Graduate Tracer Study 2018 states that 1 out of 5 graduates are unemployed and acquiring digital skills have been clearly acknowledged as part of the solution.
The question now arises whether “Do Malaysians have the right skills to survive and thrive in the digital economy ?”
A Holistic Talent Pipeline to Face a K-shaped Economic Recovery
The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) was quick to recognise the need for a holistic talent pipeline that serves to digitally up-skill Malaysians as the nation accelerates towards becoming a digital society. A holistic approach is required, simply because digital literacy and skills is now a necessity at all strata and segments of society as the nation becomes increasingly digital by default.
From the future and emerging talent pipeline to underserved – rural communities, differently-abled and the lower B40 populace, to those looking for opportunities on an intricately landscaped suite of careers, all of them can only be filled via those who have specialised digital talents.
With these features, Malaysia’s particularly diverse workforce calls for opportunities being offered through a movement with spokes and hubs that reach out to each category of society that now constantly seeks digital upskilling through specific pipelines.
As is, the digital economy is expected to make significant contributions to the country as the projection is based on the forecasted economic growth rate of 6.7 percent next year, according to a World Bank Report and the significant contribution of 20 percent to the National GDP based on the Department of Statistics Malaysia report.
In this regard, MDEC, with the strong support of KKMM, will continue to drive forward the digital economy initiatives centred towards ensuring shared prosperity for the many and, eventually, envisioning Malaysia's role as the heart of digital ASEAN.
All this will be guided mainly via its focus on three main strategic thrusts – empowering Malaysians with Digital Jobs and Skills; enabling Digitally-Powered Businesses; and attracting Digital Investments. Various initiatives will follow through with the details outlined in the 2021 Budget as it ensures nation thrives in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) era and can make the concept of Malaysia 5.0 a success.
Building Talent Pipelines for Emerging Jobs
At one end of the talent spectrum that serves the future talent pipeline, movements such as MDEC’s #mydigitalmaker are aimed at cultivating digital innovation, creativity and problem-solving skills amongst Malaysian students. In partnership with the MOE, the EdTech and Maker ecosystems, this movement had impacted more than 1.6 million school students nationwide.
Similarly, MDEC is also working with the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and Premier Digital Tech Institutions (PDTIs) to ensure that industry-relevant content is integrated into the curricula of the 11 universities and 5 polytechnics that are in this programme. More institutions of higher learning are joining this programme in 2021. The value of building a talent pipeline that cuts across the entire spectrum, starting with the next generation, is key in creating a resilient future workforce.
At the other end of the spectrum are those seeking employment through upskilling and reskilling digitally, for future jobs. MDEC’s COVID-19 Impact Survey 2020 revealed how 70% of Malaysian businesses will have retraining needs in a post-pandemic era. A further 83% shared how the focuses would be in the areas of digital marketing and digital productivity tools, with the latter including remote working skills.
MDEC’s Role
The need for digital up-skilling and re-skilling Malaysians had been evident throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. MDEC’s ongoing efforts include the most pronounced initiative under the still running #MyDigitalWorkforce Movement. It launched in November 2020 during Malaysia Tech Month and brought Malaysians to a focal point that was populated with webinars, satellite events and a job expo that MDEC launched in August 2020 in response to COVID-19. The Movement itself had been dubbed the catalyst for talent to get on the K-shaped economic recovery.
Not merely fizzling out after the event ended, and with COVID-19 infection spiking over the last few months, MDEC also developed and introduced two new initiatives under the overall #MyDigitalWorkforce Movement. Catered specifically to digital jobs- and skills-needs, both – MyDigitalWorkforce Jobs Platform and Digital Skills Training Directory – were launched simultaneously. These were the key enablers within the country’s efforts to help mitigate jobs impacted by the pandemic. The digital jobs portal, an ongoing collaboration with recruitment firms – WOBB and Hays Malaysia, now offers more than 2,000 vacancies and career growth opportunities in jobs related to digital technology.
As for the Digital Skills Training Directory, MDEC introduced it in collaboration with SOCSO, with the latter providing an incentive subsidy under the SOCSO Employment Insurance Scheme. This is part of the PENJANA Hiring Incentive that offers up to RM4,000 per pax for unemployed Malaysians seeking to beef-up with new digital skills.
The directory is a catalogue of courses that address in-demand digital skills. These learning modules and trainers have been reviewed and endorsed by a panel of digital industry experts to ensure proper guidance is available to Malaysians who are selecting courses that meet the requirements for digital jobs. Featuring 173 courses to-date, it comprises in-depth training and certification at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels in data sciences (50), cybersecurity (44), software development (55), animation (19) and game development (5).
Closing the Skills-Gap in the Digital Era
“As Malaysia, and the world, continue to contend with the disruptions that this pandemic had wrought, it’s now more critical than ever for the workforce to raise their game. This includes learning new skills and abilities that can meet the demands of the digital era. The #MyDigitalWorkforce Jobs Platform and Digital Skills Training Directory is part our ongoing efforts to address the gap between talent fulfilment and workforce demands. They are the necessary building blocks for Malaysia to kick-start and develop a digitally ready workforce. Only then can we truly accelerate ongoing efforts to grow the digital economy,” shared Surina Shukri, CEO, MDEC.
As of end-2020, the digital careers platform had received over 23,000 applications with almost 700 being shortlisted for interviews. Similarly, the directory is now experiencing a surge in interest from youths, fresh graduates and the workforce. In fact, the number of applications and jobs continue to climb on a daily basis.
Today, the tech sector contributes 18.5 percent to Malaysia’s GDP – the highest in the region, and 30 percent to ASEAN’s Internet economy, making it truly the Heart of Digital ASEAN. Talent is a crucial component in the nation’s digital ecosystem as digital competencies among these talents are catalysts for digitalisation across SMEs, industries and among the rakyat at large.
MDEC’s various digital economy initiatives are centred towards Digitally-Skilled Malaysians, Digitally-Powered Businesses and Digital Investments – the three pillars under the agency’s strategic framework. Among those parked under the Digitally-Skilled Malaysians are the #MyDigitalWorkforce Jobs Platform and Digital Skills Training Directory that aspires to address gaps between talent fulfilment and workforce demands via provisioning of strong digital competencies. MDEC’s initiatives under the pillar of Digitally-Skilled Malaysians have impacted more than 2 million Malaysians from the year 2016 to Q3 2020 as they help Malaysia accelerate its socio-economy towards becoming a digitally-skilled society and enable the nation to embrace the 4IR era as it steer towards achieving shared prosperity for all.
More details are available at:
#MyDigitalWorkforce Jobs Platform
Digital Skills Training Directory
Ketika ini teknologi digital memainkan peranan yang sangat penting dalam ekonomi.Oleh itu, wujud keperluan mendesak untuk menyediakan graduan baharu atau tenaga kerja sedia ada untuk sektor berkenaan. Pada masa sama, kajian mendapati lebih banyak syarikat ‘menjadi’ digital apabila sebanyak 91 peratus organisasi telah mengadaptasi digital dalam operasi masing -masing atau sekurang -kurangnya mempunyai perancangan untuk berbuat demikian.
Mengikut kajian IDG Business Survey 2019, secara purata sebanyak RM15.3 juta akan dilaburkan untuk inisiatif digital. Sektor Perusahaan Kecil dan Sederhana (PKS) merangkumi sekitar 48.4 peratus pekerjaan di negara ini namun 48 peratus menyedari pekerja mereka kekurangan kemahiran digital.
Dalam konteks di Malaysia, lapan daripada sepuluh pekerjaan baharu akan memerlukan kemahiran teknologi digital termasuklah penganalisis data dan saintis, pakar Internet Kebendaan (IoT), pakar transformasi digital dan pakar keselamatan siber seperti Laporan Masa Depan Pekerjaan 2020 oleh Forum Ekonomi Dunia (WEF). Laporan sama juga meramalkan bahawa 50 peratus daripada semua pekerja akan memerlukan penambahan semula kemahiran baharu menjelang 2025.
Melihat aspek penawaran pula, menurut tinjauan Randstad 2018, hampir 90 peratus tenaga kerja di Malaysia percaya mereka tidak mempunyai kemahiran untuk tempat kerja digital sementara pengangguran siswazah juga meningkat disebabkan faktor ini. Kajian yang dilaksanakan oleh Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia pada 2018 pula mendapati bahawa satu daripada lima siswazah menganggur mengakui kemahiran digital merupakan penyelesaian kepada masalah yang dihadapi mereka.
Persoalannya ialah “ Adakah rakyat Malaysia mempunyai kemahiran yang tepat untuk bertahan dan berkembang dalam ekonomi digital?”
Saluran Bakat Holistik untuk Menghadapi Pemulihan Ekonomi berbentuk K
Dalam soal ini, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) pantas menyedari perlunya saluran bakat holistik untuk meningkatkan kemampuan digital rakyat Malaysia pada ketika negara kita semakin laju meluncur ke arah menjadi masyarakat digital. Pendekatan ini sangat penting memandangkan kemahiran dan literas digital diperlukan oleh semua lapisan masyarakat termasuklah di luar bandar, golongan B40 serta pencari peluang dalam kerjaya yang memerlukan kemahiran tertentu.
Menerusi ciri-ciri ini, tenaga kerja tempatan menjadi sangat berkebolehan untuk mengisi peluang digital yang ditawarkan sekaligus menjadi hab yang menjangkau setiap kategori masyarakat yang sedang mencari peningkatan digital melalui saluran tertentu.
“Ekonomi digital dijangka akan terus memberi sumbangan penting kepada negara berdasarkan ramalan pertumbuhan ekonomi pada kadar 6.7 peratus tahun hadapan seperti laporan Bank Dunia dan 20 peratus kepada KDNK mengikut laporon Jabatan Perangkaan Malaysia.
Sehubungan dengan itu, MDEC dengan sokongan padu KKMM akan meneruskan inisiatif berpaksikan kemakmuran bersama untuk rakyat dan seterusnya mencapai cita-cita Malaysia sebagai Nadi Digital ASEAN berpandukan tiga teras utama iaitu menyediakan rakyat Malaysia berkemahiran digital, perniagaan diperkasa secara digital dan menarik pelaburan digital. Pelbagai inisiatif akan dilaksanakan selaras dengan perincian Belanjawan 2021 dan seterusnya mengharungi era Revolusi Perindustrian 4.0 (IR 4.0) dan menjayakan Malaysia 5.0.”
Membangun Talian Bakat untuk Pekerjaan yang Muncul
Matlamat akhir spektrum yang membantu saluran bakat masa depan ini dapat dilihat menerusi gerakan #mydigitalmaker yang dilancarkan oleh MDEC dengan tujuan memupuk inovasi digital, kreativiti dan kemahiran menyelesaikan masalah di kalangan pelajar Malaysia. Bekerjasama dengan Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia, usaha memantapkan ekosistem teknologi pendidikan dan pembuatan, gerakan ini telah memanfaatkan lebih 1.6 juta pelajar sekolah di seluruh negara.
Selanjutnya, MDEC juga bekerjasama dengan Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi dan Institusi Teknologi Digital Premier (PDTI) untuk memastikan bahawa kandungan berkaitan industri ‘dimasukkan’ ke dalam kurikulum 11 buah universiti dan 5 politeknik yang terlibat dengan program ini. Usaha untuk membina saluran bakat yang merangkumi keseluruhan spektrum harus membabitkan penglibatan generasi pelapis kerana ia merupakan kunci untuk mewujudkan tenaga kerja masa depan yang berdaya tahan.
Matlamat akhir program ini ialah untuk membantu golongan yang mencari pekerjaan meningkatkan kemahiran secara digital untuk pekerjaan di masa depan. Tinjauan Impak COVID-19 yang dilaksanakan MDEC menunjukkan bahawa 70 peratus syarikat akan mempunyai keperluan untuk latihan semula selepas COVID manakala 83 peratus syarikat akan melaksanakan latihan semula membabitkan bidang pemasaran digital dan peralatan untuk produktiviti digital serta akhir sekali merangkumi kemampuan bekerja secara tidak di pejabat.
Peranan MDEC
Keperluan untuk rakyat Malaysia yang mahir dan berkemahiran tinggi telah terbukti sepanjang wabak COVID-19. Usaha berterusan MDEC termasuk inisiatif di bawah Gerakan #MyDigitalWorkforce Ia dilancarkan pada November 2020 semasa Bulan Teknologi membawa Malaysia (MTM2020) yang memberi peluang kepada rakyat menyertai pelbagai siri webinar, acara satelit dan pameran pekerjaan yang dilancarkan MDEC pada Ogos 2020 sebagai tindak balas kepada COVID-19. Gerakan ini merupakan pemangkin kepada bakat untuk terlibat dalam proses pemulihan ekonomi berbentuk K.
Tidak berhenti setakat itu, MDEC baru – baru ini melancarkan dua inisiatif baharu di bawah gerakan #MyDigitalWorkforce iaitu Platform Pekerjaan MyDigitalWorkforce dan Direktori Latihan Kemahiran Digital untuk memenuhi keperluan pekerjaan digital dan kemahiran. Usaha ini dilaksanakan bagi membantu golongan yang hilang pekerjaan akibat penularan wabak berkenaan. Portal pekerjaan digital iaitu WOBB dan Hays Malaysia kini menawarkan lebih daripada 2,000 kekosongan pekerjaan berkaitan dengan teknologi digital.x
Bagi Direktori Latihan Kemahiran Digital pula, MDEC melancarkannya dengan kerjasama PERKESO. Ianya antara lain memberikan subsidi di bawah Skim Insurans Pekerjaan PERKESO dan Insentif Pengambilan PENJANA sehingga RM4,000 untuk individu yang hilang pekerjaan mempelajari kursus-kursus baharu dan menambah kemahiran digital. x
Direktori ini merupakan katalog kursus untuk menangani permintaan kemahiran digital yang diperlukan. Kursus ini telah mendapat pengesahan pakar industri digital untuk membimbing rakyat Malaysia memilih modul yang memenuhi syarat untuk pekerjaan berkaitan teknologi digital. Mengandungi 173 kursus , ia merangkumi latihan dan pensijilan untuk peringkat pemulaan, menengah dan lanjutan membabitkan sains data (50), keselamatan siber (44), pengembangan perisian (55), animasi (19) dan pengembangan permainan (5) . x
Mengecilkan Jurang Kemahiran dalam Era Digital
"Ketika Malaysia dan dunia terus menghadapi gangguan disebabkan oleh wabak ini, keperluan tenaga kerja menjadi lebih kritikal berbanding sebelumnya. Keperluan yang dimaksudkan termasuklah mempelajari kemahiran dan kebolehan baharu yang dapat memenuhi tuntutan era digital. Platform #MyDigitalWorkforce Jobs dan Direktori Latihan Kemahiran Digital merupakan usaha MDEC untuk mengatasi jurang yang wujud membabitkan penawaran bakat dan permintaan tenaga kerja. Ini merupakan asas yang perlu bagi Malaysia untuk memulakan dan mengembangkan tenaga kerja yang bersedia secara digital. Hanya dengan itu kita dapat mempercepatkan usaha berterusan untuk mengembangkan ekonomi digital," kata Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif MDEC, Pn. Surina Shukri.
Pada masa ini, platform kerjaya digital telah menerima sekitar 23,000 permohonan dengan hampir 700 telah disenaraikan untuk temuduga. Direktori ini terus menerima peningkatan kunjungan membabitkan golongan belia, graduan baharu dan tenaga kerja sedia ada. Jumlah permohonan dan pekerjaan terus meningkat setiap hari. Hari ini sektor teknologi menyumbang sebanyak 18.5 peratus kepada KDNK Malaysia (tertinggi di rantau ini) dan 30 peratus kepada ekonomi digital ASEAN sekaligus menjadikannya sebagai Nadi Dgital ASEAN. Bakat merupakan komponen penting dalam ekosistem digital negara dan kecekapan digital yang dimiliki merupakan pemangkin digitalisasi di seluruh PKS, industri dan di kalangan rakyat secara amnya.
Pelbagai inisiatif ekonomi digital oleh MDEC yang membabitkan rakyat Malaysia yang berkemahiran digital, perniagaan dipacu secara digital dan pelaburan digital merupakan tiga teras strategiknya. Menerusi teras rakyat Malaysia berkemahiran digital, usaha dapat dilihat menerusi Platform Pekerjaan #MyDigitalWorkforce dan Direktori Latihan Kemahiran Digital bagi mengatasi jurang yang wujud membabitkan lambakan bakat dan tuntutan tenaga kerja dengan kecekapan digital. Teras MDEC membabitkan rakyat Malaysia yang berkemahiran digital telah memberi kesan kepada lebih daripada dua juta rakyat Malaysia sejak 2016 hingga suku ketiga tahun ini. Inisiatif MDEC bertujuan untuk membantu Malaysia menghadapi Revolusi Industri 4.0 (IR 4.0) dan menuju ke Malaysia 5.0 untuk mencapai hasrat kemakmuran bersama untuk semua.
Maklumat lanjut boleh didapati di:
Share this:
